Wheatgrass juice tastes great
...as long as you add an apple and a carrot and some fresh ginger. Yes, we are now among the official juicing crowd having purchased an Omega 8003 and identified a steady source of wheatgrass (Whole Foods). We are having fun experimenting with various concoctions - most of which are designed to mask the flavor of the wheatgrass and pack in as many beneficial nutrients as possible. Since Keith is not allowed any sugar or honey, apples are a mainstay for delivering "sweet" results. Samantha thinks we should grow our own wheatgrass....perhaps the next adventure.
Keith is doing quite well, although he has been very fatigued. Monday, December 4th is the last day of radiation - a makeup day for Thanksgiving which we skipped. The effects of the treatment will continue on for a few weeks, and then his energy level should begin to pick up. For now, there are some really really good days -- and some days of utter body numbing exhaustion. This is a completely normal response to radiation - particularly brain radiation - so we shouldn't be discouraged.
Tuesday morning we will have an MRI followed by a consultation with our neuro oncologist. This will be our first look-see at what we have accomplished so far. If the tumor is stable or smaller, we will start up a new course of Temodar (we have been on a 2 week hiatus) and do another MRI in a month. If we are not happy with the current results, we will swap to an alternative protocol - potentially avastin combined with another chemotherapy.
Occupational therapy continues weekly and we think we are beginning to see some results. Keith has regained part of the strength in his right arm and he seems to be having less problem negotiating the computer keyboard. (Fewer typo's, right?) We added massage (thank you Kerry) over the last week and Keith has found this to be particularly helpful - a real plus in this last stretch as we finish out the 6 weeks of radiation.
Other news on the home front: in case you haven't heard, Tzara has been diagnosed with a mean case of mono - she has been sleeping as much as (or more than) Keith. We are looking forward to having her home for the winter break so we can get her healthy again. In the last few weeks, we have enjoyed a succession of visitors from near and far and this has been very cheering. Thanks to all; we continue to be overwhelmed by the warmth, generousity and strength we have received from so many.
Finally, a bit of "shameless parental self promotion": Sammy and her band will return to Catalina's Bar & Grill (jazz club) for one night (Thursday, December 21) - if you will be in town, Keith would love to see you there.
Keith is doing quite well, although he has been very fatigued. Monday, December 4th is the last day of radiation - a makeup day for Thanksgiving which we skipped. The effects of the treatment will continue on for a few weeks, and then his energy level should begin to pick up. For now, there are some really really good days -- and some days of utter body numbing exhaustion. This is a completely normal response to radiation - particularly brain radiation - so we shouldn't be discouraged.
Tuesday morning we will have an MRI followed by a consultation with our neuro oncologist. This will be our first look-see at what we have accomplished so far. If the tumor is stable or smaller, we will start up a new course of Temodar (we have been on a 2 week hiatus) and do another MRI in a month. If we are not happy with the current results, we will swap to an alternative protocol - potentially avastin combined with another chemotherapy.
Occupational therapy continues weekly and we think we are beginning to see some results. Keith has regained part of the strength in his right arm and he seems to be having less problem negotiating the computer keyboard. (Fewer typo's, right?) We added massage (thank you Kerry) over the last week and Keith has found this to be particularly helpful - a real plus in this last stretch as we finish out the 6 weeks of radiation.
Other news on the home front: in case you haven't heard, Tzara has been diagnosed with a mean case of mono - she has been sleeping as much as (or more than) Keith. We are looking forward to having her home for the winter break so we can get her healthy again. In the last few weeks, we have enjoyed a succession of visitors from near and far and this has been very cheering. Thanks to all; we continue to be overwhelmed by the warmth, generousity and strength we have received from so many.
Finally, a bit of "shameless parental self promotion": Sammy and her band will return to Catalina's Bar & Grill (jazz club) for one night (Thursday, December 21) - if you will be in town, Keith would love to see you there.
posted by Keith and Kathy | 6:41 AM
2 Comments:
Thanks for latest news. Have just returned from two hectic weeks in Sydney, so have not spoken to Molly since my 80th birthday at the end of October.
Will be speaking to her next weekend and will get the latest news from Johannesburg.
Pleased to hear of progress in right arm. Hope this will continue.
Our thoughts are with you - we are just so far away!
Continued best wishes and love from us both.
Jos and Ken in Melbourne
Thanks Kathy for keeping up with the updates - hard to do when there is so much going on in your life. My thoughts are with you all.
Love, Helene (Keith's high school buddy in Toronto)
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